The Cat And The Rat. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BCBCDDEEFGGFGFHHIIJJ KKLLMMNOONPMPMNN N EHIQQB R NNNSSJJJNNNN NNNNNNHH NNI II| A | |
| - | |
| Four creatures wont to prowl | B |
| Sly Grab and Snatch the cat | C |
| Grave Evil bode the owl | B |
| Thief Nibble stitch the rat | C |
| And Madam Weasel prim and fine | D |
| Inhabited a rotten pine | D |
| A man their home discover'd there | E |
| And set one night a cunning snare | E |
| The cat a noted early riser | F |
| Went forth at break of day | G |
| To hunt her usual prey | G |
| Not much the wiser | F |
| For morning's feeble ray | G |
| The noose did suddenly surprise her | F |
| Waked by her strangling cry | H |
| Grey Nibble stitch drew nigh | H |
| As full of joy was he | I |
| As of despair was she | I |
| For in the noose he saw | J |
| His foe of mortal paw | J |
| 'Dear friend ' said Mrs Grab and Snatch | K |
| 'Do pray this cursed cord detach | K |
| I've always known your skill | L |
| And often your good will | L |
| Now help me from this worst of snares | M |
| In which I fell at unawares | M |
| 'Tis by a sacred right | N |
| You sole of all your race | O |
| By special love and grace | O |
| Have been my favourite | N |
| The darling of my eyes | P |
| 'Twas order'd by celestial cares | M |
| No doubt I thank the blessed skies | P |
| That going out to say my prayers | M |
| As cats devout each morning do | N |
| This net has made me pray to you | N |
| Come fall to work upon the cord ' | - |
| Replied the rat 'And what reward | N |
| Shall pay me if I dare ' | - |
| 'Why ' said the cat 'I swear | E |
| To be your firm ally | H |
| Henceforth eternally | I |
| These powerful claws are yours | Q |
| Which safe your life insures | Q |
| I'll guard from quadruped and fowl | B |
| I'll eat the weasel and the owl ' | - |
| 'Ah ' cried the rat 'you fool | R |
| I'm quite too wise to be your tool ' | - |
| He said and sought his snug retreat | N |
| Close at the rotten pine tree's feet | N |
| Where plump he did the weasel meet | N |
| Whom shunning by a happy dodge | S |
| He climb'd the hollow trunk to lodge | S |
| And there the savage owl he saw | J |
| Necessity became his law | J |
| And down he went the rope to gnaw | J |
| Strand after strand in two he bit | N |
| And freed at last the hypocrite | N |
| That moment came the man in sight | N |
| The new allies took hasty flight | N |
| - | |
| A good while after that | N |
| Our liberated cat | N |
| Espied her favourite rat | N |
| Quite out of reach and on his guard | N |
| 'My friend ' said she 'I take your shyness hard | N |
| Your caution wrongs my gratitude | N |
| Approach and greet your staunch ally | H |
| Do you suppose dear rat that I | H |
| Forget the solemn oath I mew'd ' | - |
| 'Do I forget ' the rat replied | N |
| 'To what your nature is allied | N |
| To thankfulness or even pity | I |
| Can cats be ever bound by treaty ' | - |
| - | |
| Alliance from necessity | I |
| Is safe just while it has to be | I |
Jean De La Fontaine
(1)
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